MPO and infection: The role of the MPO-NE pathway is supported by studies of neutrophils from diabetes patients with hereditary MPO deficiency at high risk of infection.145 Bellaaouaj et al. have reported that mice with NE deficiency are more susceptible to sepsis and death,146 and NE inhibition prevents NET formation and rescues mice from ischemia/reperfusion injury, infection, and tumor.147–150 Lacking the NADPH oxidase in the respiratory burst pathway can decrease the ability to kill microorganisms, leading to recurrent microbial infections.